US (2019)

3/25/19 - Us (2019) - 6/10

Us has plenty to say, though none of the sentiments whisper as loudly as Get Out. Much more of a traditional horror film experience, told from someone who obviously appreciates the genre, but I don’t feel like it was trying to take steps to wildly expand on the what can be stated. Certainly nothing wrong with that, but without that furthering element, it felt more like a collection of strong thriller moments and a through line, but I didn’t feel the terror or importance. This is a solid and clever film, but it isn’t the amazing cinematic experience some have described it as.

Of the films strengths, Lupita N’Yongo resides near the top. Her quivering unease, her impassioned resolve, and her distinctive dichotomy; it carries the film as her star shines so brightly. Thankfully so, because I can’t say that I was overly impressed with the writing or performances of the other characters/actors. Much of it felt a little limp but doused in combustible ambiance, ready to ignite at any moment but usually just providing a tense vibe. Peele has a sense for the disquieting and uneasy, able to slip that into every facet of his films.

However dissuaded from blatant expose of social issues as Get Out was, Us doesn’t exactly sht away. The duality/double life of the African American experience seems tethered to the text of this feature, as the two lives are lived, in black private and white public. As much as it speaks to that double experience, I also feel that it is saying something about a socialistic endeavor, the hands across america, the bettering all by taking it all over revolution as one, the criticisms of capital endeavors (measuring of success by face lifts, security systems, and boat size), and the sharp criticism from the less well-off that desire the experiences/bounty being kept from them. It sometimes feels like it wants to hint at these issues, perhaps even at the detriment of keeping me locked in on the scares & shocks.

I didn’t feel that the interjections of light comedy were wholly necessary, especially since none of them landed with me. Just cut tension in moments that took me out of it rather than round it out. I also couldn’t get over the relative ease & quickness that the protagonists shucked off the absurdity and horror of their experience. Perhaps the “choosing a driver” scene gutted some of the realism for me. The believability and relatability, and thus the drama that one can derive from them, gets skewered when I have to suspend too much of my disbelief.

I don’t think this film deserves any dire dissecting over rationale or rules. It is an experience and metaphorical statement that functions on its own. If one were to try and break down the specifics of the events, logic, concepts or general activities of the film and one might be driven insane. No, there isn’t a desire to make sense, but to make a statement, and thus that is the only way I find suitable to experience it. And as such an experience, it is worth it, but fails to ascend to any lofty heights. A good and thoughtful horror flick, but never was I blown away.